Physical Therapy

Welcome to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Evidence Based Practice (EBP) Research Guide. Use the tabs above to progress through the steps in the EBP process.

1. Ask a Question guides your through the PICO process to set up a good research question for investigation. 
2. Searching for Evidence provides guidance on searching the research databases for articles to answer your research question. There isn't just one database, you will likely search more than one to find what you need. There will be guides to using MeSH subject headings as well as keywords and how to combine them to narrow your question. 
3. Cite the Evidence provides guidelines for citations in AMA (American Medical Association) formats, and quick guides to frequently used styles for articles, clinical practice guidelines and textbook citations. You will also find links to the list of journal title abbreviations you need to use for AMA.
4. Evaluate the Evidence provides the 6S Pyramid of to evaluate articles based on the methodology and number of study participants. 
5. Appraise the Evidence highlights the steps and provides guides to critical appraisal of topics (CATs) used in evidence based practice.

Use these worksheets to turn your PICO research question into a search strategy to use in a research database. 

As you write your research question there are a few different frameworks you can choose from that will help you identify key concepts of your research question and determine your study's inclusion/exclusion criteria.

PICO 

• P      Population/Problem
• I        Intervention/Exposure
• C      Comparison
• O      Outcome

PICOT

• P       Population/Problem
• I        Phenomenon of Interest 
• C      Comparison 
• O      Outcome
• T       Time/frame

Intervention:

In _________ (P), how does _________ (I) compared to _________(C) affect _______(O) within _______ (T)?

Prognosis:

Does _________________ (I) influence ________________ (O) in patients who have _____________ (P) over ___________________________(T).

In _____________(P), how does ___________________ (I) compared to __________________(C) influence __________________________(O) over ________________(T).

Diagnosis:

Are (is) _________ (I) more accurate in diagnosing ________ (P) compared with ______ (C) for _______ (O)?

Etiology:

Are ____ (P) who have _______ (I) at ___ (Increased/decreased) risk for/of_______ (O) compared with ______ (P) with/without ______ (C) over _____ (T)?

Prevention:

For ________ (P) does the use of ______ (I) reduce the future risk of ________ (O) compared with _________ (C)?